Emily Hopkins of University Communications spoke with the new co-chair of Cornell's fundraising campaign, Andrew Tisch '71, member of the Cornell University Board of Trustees and co-chair of Loews Corp. This is the second in a series of interviews with each of the campaign co-chairs.

What do you see as your primary responsibility, in co-chairing the campaign?

To make sure that sure that we finish successfully what we started successfully.

One of the stated goals of the campaign, when it was announced in 2006, was a stronger connection between the campuses in Ithaca and New York City. How has that been progressing?

There are much closer ties today between Ithaca and New York City, despite the 250-mile distance. The communication, collaboration and partnerships between faculty and researchers in Ithaca and in New York, particularly in areas like biomedical engineering, are growing more and more each day. This has been a goal over my tenure on the board of trustees. I'm very enthused by what I'm seeing.

You are among Cornell's most generous philanthropists in university history. How does this inform your work as co-chair of the campaign?

Well, my whole goal is not to be one of the most generous benefactors to the university -- I would like to see many more graduates making substantial contributions.

Of the gifts you've made to Cornell, which has been most meaningful to you?

They've all been meaningful. My brother and I would not have been giving money if we didn't think it was meaningful or necessary for the benefit of the university. But I guess the one I've gotten the most enjoyment out of is the establishment of the Andrew H. and James S. Tisch Distinguished University Professorships, given to professors who are considering retiring. It's allowed us to meet great, great scholars, such as Walt Lafeber, Will Provine and now Yervant Terzian, people who've given a lifetime of service to Cornell and created great scholarship. To be able to meet them and spend time with them has been really one of the great privileges I've had in my life.

When people weigh giving to Cornell against giving to basic services that help people in need, what do you tell them?

Everybody has their priorities and giving to other organizations and institutions is very important. I place a high priority on the future, which drives me to give to education and research and development. We have tremendous social needs, and basic humanitarian needs. Each one is important, and you have to determine the relativity, on your own scale, of one to another. I've found that by giving in a multidimensional fashion, I reflect my feelings about how to solve the world's problems.

Over the years, you've hosted more than 30 events featuring Cornell faculty speaking about their work. Does one event stand out as being most meaningful or inspiring?

When they bring Exhibits A and B with them, which are students. I always ask professors, coaches and other speakers to come prepared to talk about the China program, the university libraries, the vet college or whatever, but I say: "Do me and yourself a favor and bring a couple of students, too, and let them talk." When all is said and done, it's about the students.

What do you hope to hear from President Skorton in his upcoming State of the University address, on Oct. 21?

I think that David Skorton has taken on a great leadership role, not only for Cornell, but for universities across America. I expect to hear how he will continue his leadership in areas that are very important to all of us. It's not just a question of raising money, it's a question of raising academic standards, hiring the best possible professors, and also raising the capital necessary to fund all of this.

What do you see as Cornell's greatest challenge and greatest opportunity?

The challenges and the opportunities are oftentimes the same. I think the greatest challenge and opportunity is to stay relevant, to continue to be important to the future of the world. I'll go global on it: The university must first of all stay relevant to its constituents -- students, professors, alumni -- but at same time lead important research and educate people to do the right things so that the ever-shrinking world can be better off.